Thursday, November 27, 2008

readertotz Press Release

Celebrated author/illustrators Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub launch readertotz in an effort to recognize the infant-toddler book as a vital addition to children’s literature.

November 27, 2008 (Seattle, Wash.) – On December 1, 2008, readergirlz co-founder and author/illustrator Lorie Ann Grover and author/illustrator Joan Holub will launch readertotz (http://readertotz.blogspot.com/), a unique board book blog that aims to raise awareness of the infant-toddler book as a significant format of children’s literature.

While picture books, books for beginning readers, middle-grade novels and young-adult literature have been recognized with major awards such as the Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal, the Newbery, the Printz and the National Book Award, it is rare to find such esteem given to infant-toddler books—despite their importance in instilling a life-long love of books and reading in the youngest readers.

“Board books are certainly overlooked and misunderstood, and they serve such an important purpose in introducing babies and toddlers to books,” said Rotem Moscovich, Associate Editor, Scholastic. “What they are, how they work (and taste). The board makes it possible for them to do it themselves, and also to feel comfortable with books.”

Taking the lead from readergirlz, which boasts more than 8,000 members, readertotz will showcase high-quality literature. Lorie Ann Grover and Joan Holub will feature weekly blog posts that highlight the best contributions in the infant-toddler book arena and recommend monthly community service projects appropriate for families with young children to enjoy. Also included each month: an age-appropriate playlist and a recommended book for the older sibling.

“readertotz is our effort to raise the bar in board and novelty book literature,” says Lorie Ann Grover. “We’re challenging our colleagues to write great books for the youngest readers and encouraging the industry to publish those works. Eventually, we hope to work with the American Library Association to establish an award for infant-toddler books that’s equivalent to the Caldecott and Theodor Geisel Award.”

3 comments:

Congratulations on your new venture, and a very worthy one it is! Good start with BIG Little too - my personal fave is Yummy Yucky, which I use with 2-4 year olds when doing storytime about the five senses. The style reminds me of Sesame Street - fun for little ones, but with humor big kids and adults will appreciate at their own levels.

Support the creation of The Dorothy Kunhardt Award for Outstanding Board or Novelty Book

Around the Block with Sesame Street

Joan's new board books: This Little Trailblazer, Mighty Dads, This Little President

Our Mission

readertotz, little sister site to readergirlz, is a board book blog dedicated to raising the profile and quality of infant/toddler books, the first genre in children's literature able to instill a love of reading.

Titles featured are books Joan and Lorie Ann purchase, library books, and/or publishing house submissions. Our responses are our honest opinions, sometimes with constructive feedback; but we only post about books we like, so you won't find any completely negative reviews/responses here.